LAUREN CARLINI › VOLLEYBALL
As the No. 1-ranked volleyball recruit in the country,
Lauren Carlini is expected to make big contributions to the Badgers this fall. The 6-foot-2
setter/hitter was named the 2012 Gatorade
National Volleyball Player of the Year and
earned numerous All-America honors.
"First, I went to Florida with my club
team for AAUs and we ended up winning
a national championship. That was super
exciting and I was very proud of everyone. I took
some time off from volleyball but after that I went
to the ESPYs for the Gatorade Athlete of the Year
awards. I had a blast for three days in California. We
got treated like kings and queens, so it was great!
After that I came to campus for 10 days to train with
the team and get to know everyone."
How did you spend your summer?
"I touched LeBron James, so that was kind of cool. I saw J.J.
Watt, Colin Kaepernick, Snoop Dog. I took pictures with
McKayla Maroney, Stuart Scott from ESPN. There were a
bunch of other athletes that I saw walking behind me and I
was like 'This is cool!'"
Who were some of people you saw at the ESPYs?
How do you handle the pressure of being the No. 1 volleyball
recruit in the country?
"I don't really think about it. I just love playing volleyball and
this is what I do. I've done it for 11 years now. Pressure
doesn't really get to me anymore. I just go out, play the
game and have fun doing it."
"I just really excited to see what we're all capable of. Everything is new and I think there is no ceiling for us. The
expectations for us are really high and hopefully we
can maintain that through the season."
What are you excited for most this season?
What is the biggest difference between high school/club
and college?
"Everyone here is stronger and bigger, so it's a more
physical game than high school or club. It's different
tactics and different ways of thinking about the game. It's
way more strategic than it is in high school and club, too."
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VARSITY August 15, 2013
QUICK Q'S WITH LAUREN
I would be a drag racer
If you weren't playing volleyball?
Secret addiction?
Say Yes to the Dress
Favorite Quote?
"It's never crowded along the extra mile"
J.J. Watt
Favorite athlete?
GATORADE / SUSAN GOLDMAN
BADGERING
